Tank heater



T931 `o.'A BAILEY*- TANK HEATER Filed May 5. 191:50V

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#5J @MW Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTERBEIN A. BAILEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON COMPANY, A C0."B-IORAIION` F ILLINOIS TANK HEATER Application filed May 5, 1930. Serial No. 449,992.

This invention relates to improvements in tank heaters, and more especially such a heater adapted for heating water in an elevated tank and riser.

One of the features of my invention is to provide such a heater that will prevent freeze ing of the Water in the tank and riser. My improved heater is simple in construction and operation and eflicient. Means are pro- 1@ vided to distribute the heat to effect economy in operation. This is accomplished by providing a circulating pipe or jacket to conduct heated water from the heating element up into the tank.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a tank and riser showingV the improved heater; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the heater, and Figs. 3 and 4 are views taken as indicated by the lines 3 and 4, respectively, of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings, 10 may indicate an elevated water tank of well known construction supported on the legs or posts 11, 11. 12 indicates the usual riser pipe also filled with water.

The heating element itself may be of any desired construction and is here shown as a steam radiator including the central steam supply pipe inside of the condensation or return pipe 14 provided with the drain 15. Steam is introduced into the lower end 13 of the supply pipe from any suitable source (not shown). The upper` end of the return pipe 14 is closed by the cap 14a. In operation, steam is introduced into the pipe 13 and issues from the top thereof filling the space 16 between the pipes 13 and 14. The condensation escapes through the drain pipe 15.

Surrounding the heating element and spaced therefrom is a circulating pipe or jacket 17. This circulating pipe extends from very near the bottom of the heating element up into the bottom of the tank 10 and is provided at the top with a T 18. The

circulating pipe is held against downward movement by the cross-bar or pin 19 which rests on the top of the drain pipe 14 and is spaced from the heating element by the spacers 20 at the top and similar spacers 21 at the bottom. The jacket is preferably provided with a reducer 17 a at the top of the heating element so that the portion of the circulating pipe, as indicated by 17", that extends up into the bottom of the tank is somewhat smaller in diameter than the portion 17.V

Previous heaters without using the circulating pipe or jacket frequently heated the water in the riser too hot while ice formed at the top of the tank. With circulating pipe as shown hot water is conducted up into the bottom of the tank giving better circula.- tion and preventing freezing.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claim, in which it is my intention to claim al1 novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In combination with an elevated tank and riser, an elongated heating element in the riser, and a circulating pipe surrounding said heating element and spaced therefrom, said circulating pipe being open at the top and bottom and extending up into the bottom of the tank.

In witness whereof, I hereunto setV my hand this 28th day of April, 1930.

OTTERBEIN A. BAILEY. 

